ST JAMES, Jamaica — Four more fishers have received new boats and engines under the Government’s Fisheries Production Incentive Programme, enabling them to resume their livelihoods following the impact of Hurricane Melissa.

They are from Oracabessa and Annotto Bay in St Mary, and Bryan’s Bay and Hope Bay in Portland.

Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining Minister, Floyd Green, handed over the equipment at the Pagee Fishing Beach in Port Maria on March 18.

The five-year Fisheries Production Incentive Programme, which targets fishers under age 35, is aimed at modernising Jamaica’s fisheries sector, ensuring that fisherfolk have access to the tools they need to operate more efficiently and safely.

Wednesday’s handover event also included the presentation of Certificates of Completion for post-harvest training sponsored by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

Minister Green, in his address, noted that over 3,000 boats were damaged during Hurricane Melissa some of them beyond repair.

He noted that arrangements are being made to procure an additional 20 boats under the fisheries incentive programme to enable fishers to get back out to sea.

“The plan is to procure 20 each year. So, at the end of the five years, we would have distributed 100 boats and this additional 20 is in addition to that 100,” he pointed out.

Chief Executive Officer of the National Fisheries Authority Dr Gavin Bellamy, said the handover of the equipment represents a significant step forward for the industry.

He noted that in addition to the presentation of boats and engines, the programme has empowered communities with modern techniques and best practices to enhance resilience, increase output while ensuring that they can compete and thrive in a changing world.

Bellamy said that the knowledge and skills gained through the JICA-sponsored post-harvest training “will ensure that the industry grows stronger, more resilient and more sustainably.”

—    JIS